ok, just driving home the other day, during the NorEaster that just past, and the CEL goes on. thankfully i was about 1 mi from my house. BUT i could not look it over due to the weather.

just had the time & weather to check the codes and code P2A01 pops up. did a search on here and i believe donbrew suggested to check the flex pipe. well i did and saw and felt nothing. the car did not get any louder NOR leaks around the pipe. oil level is fine.

but i do smell gas. a bad 02 sensor makes the car run richer, correct?? if thats it, ok but, i do smell gas with the car door open and in the engine bay.

my car has 82k on it is a 2006 with a 2.4.

any other recommendations before i just do both O2 sensors??

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

 

It might be a bad #2 o2 sensor but a better bet is the wires have got themselves onto the hot exhaust pipe and melted. Or the fuse blew (#33 underhood)

The rich smell comes from the intrusive test that the OBD2 system performs after the sensor fails the first test.

 

Fuel smell also comes from rusted out fuel vapour line, have a look just up in front of the drivers rear tire, see the fuel lines, they’re the 3/8 lines.

https://www.autocodes.com/p2a01_chevrolet.html

 

ok, finally got to look at the easiest thing first.

checked the fuse 10amp #33 micro was fine. RATS!!

soaking the o2 sensors in PB covered with a paper towel to help them stay wet.

guess ill order the new sensors.

is there a suggested manufacturer? denso NTK walker AC???

 

The factory installs NGK/NTK with AC markings. Don't use Bosch.

 

replaced the NTK o2 sensors on tuesday. it rained lightly but that is the only time that i had. took total about an 1.5hrs with cleanup. but made a world of difference. cleared the codes and after a week still all OK!

man that shield is stupid!! couldnt they make that opening bigger for the socket??

man im shocked at the suggestion not to use BOSCH?!? have they gone downhill??

THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

Bosch has been known not to work well with the Ecotec's ECM parameters. Others have reported issues with the Bosch 02 sensors when used in the HHR.
Donbrew is the guru here. I'd take his advice or suggestions before I would others.

 

Actually, if you read reviews it is not just HHRs that don't like Bosch. I used one that threw a "out of range" code immediately. Conversely, I put one of the "universal" Bosch sensors in and it worked perfectly. Both were the #2 sensor.

So, personally I have a 50/50 relationship. But add many other reviewers that had the same "out of range" problem and I tend to say NO.

 

THANKS FOR THE INSIGHT!!!

I probably would have chosen BOSCH due to my past experiences. years ago they were known for the BETTER product. but with everything that changes i guess. i guess they are relegated to wipers now!! LOL

 

If you can find a brand name that is owned by the same company it was 20 years asgo you are lucky.

Emerson used to be a very premium brand name.